'Very serious' negotiations ongoing for new Gaza truce

The United States confirmed that “very serious” negotiations are taking place regarding a new truce in Gaza, but prospects for reaching an agreement are still unclear with Hamas insisting on not discussing anything other than a complete end to the Israeli offensive.

Ismail Haniyeh, head of the Hamas political bureau, visited Egypt on Wednesday, for the first time in more than a month to hold talks with Egyptian officials who are seeking to mediate another truce.

A source familiar with the negotiations said that envoys are focusing their discussions on identifying the detainees who could be released in the event of a new truce, as well as the Palestinian prisoners whom Israel might release in return.

White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Air Force One on Wednesday, "These are very serious discussions and negotiations, and we hope they will lead to some result."

But Taher Al-Nono, Haniyeh's media advisor, told Reuters that Hamas is not ready to discuss the release of more Israeli hostages until Israel ends its military campaign in Gaza and the volume of humanitarian aid to civilians increases.

Al-Nono stated in the interview in Cairo, "The issue of the prisoners can be negotiated after these two matters. We cannot talk about negotiations at a time when Israel continues its aggression. Discussion of any thesis related to the prisoners must take place after the cessation of the aggression."

He added, "The movement's delegation provided a comprehensive explanation of the field and political situation and the needs required to improve humanitarian conditions, increase aid to the Palestinian people, and deliver this aid to all areas of the Gaza Strip in the north and south."

Hamas rejects any further temporary halt to the Israeli military campaign and says it will only discuss a permanent ceasefire. Al-Nono said, "We spoke clearly with our brothers in Egypt about our position towards this aggression and the need to stop it as a priority now."

The source familiar with the negotiations, who requested anonymity, said that Israel insists on the release of all remaining women and elderly men hostage. The list of Palestinian prisoners that Israel will release may include those convicted of serious crimes.

US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday, that he did not expect to reach a second agreement to release the hostages between Israel and Hamas soon, but he told reporters, “We are putting pressure on.”

Israel did not comment publicly on the talks in Egypt. But it has ruled out a permanent ceasefire and says it will only agree to a limited humanitarian truce until Hamas is defeated.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his position that the war will not end unless Hamas is eliminated, all hostages are released, and Gaza does not pose any further threat to Israel.